Submitted by: Dan Rich
Dec. 29, 1917 - March 12, 2008
South Bend Tribune 4/13/2008
WINTER SPRINGS, FL - James Robertson Tinny, 90, a resident
of Winter Springs, FL, formerly of South Bend, IN, passed away
peacefully Wednesday, March 12, 2008. Jim was born December 29,
1917, in Lakewood, OH, to James L. and Agnes (Butler)
Tinny. Jim graduated cum laude from the University of Notre Dame
in 1941. He was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Navy as a
naval aviator shortly after graduation. During his naval service,
he perfected the night instrument landing system for PBY Catalina
Flying Boats. Because of his extensive night and instrument
flying experience, Jim was selected to lead flights of Army B-17
bombers from Goose Bay, Labrador, to England. While stationed in
England, he was plane captain on over 42 bombing missions in the
Navy's version of the B-24 bomber, flown out of Dunkeswell,
England.
On August 12, 1942, he married Catherine Ann
Schock in South Bend, IN. She preceded him in death after
64 years of marriage on March 9, 2005. Also preceding him in
death were a daughter, Susan Maureen Tinny, and his sisters,
Eleanor Tinny and Mary Kirkwood. He is survived by his
children, James K. (Robin) Tinny, Kathleen (Dr. C. Port) Laderer,
Christopher (Sandra) Tinny, Michael (Nancy) Tinny, Dr. Brian
Tinny and David (Holly) Tinny. Also surviving are his most
precious grandchildren, Jeffrey (Colleen) Laderer, Julia Paige
(Geoffrey) Young, Kelly (Jay) Johnson, Andrew
(Nicole) Tinny, Riley, Jillian, Kyle, Brendan, Evan, Haley,
Devin, Calleen, McKinley, Nathaniel and James C. Tinny. Also
surviving are several beloved great-grandchildren.
Jim was president of the C&E Trucking
Corporation in South Bend, IN. Jim was a true member of the Notre
Dame family and in 1971 began laying the groundwork for the
original Notre Dame Quarterback Club. Jim's passion, devotion and
involvement with golf will be remembered by many at the South
Bend Country Club, the Evan's Scholars Program, the Western Golf
Association and the United States Golf Association. He was the
official starter of the U.S. Open qualifying held at the South
Bend Country Club for 28 years. The memories of Jim's golf
history will be forever cherished by his family and friends.
Private services were held in Florida. A
memorial service will be held in June in South Bend, IN;
announcement forthcoming. The family asks at Jim's request that
donations be made to the Ara Parseghian Medical Research
Foundation